Atlantis Cricket Club-NY (ACC) moved closer to securing the New York National Cricket League Premier 40-Overs 2024 title by overcoming Meten-Meer-Zorg (MMZ) for the second consecutive week. The two squads had clinched positions for the quarter-finals of this year’s Premier 40-overs championship, with ACC besting MMZ by 103 runs.
In their subsequent clash, Atlantis triumphed again with a 71-run advantage to progress to the semi-final showdown against Queens United Sports Club (QUSC) at Idlewild “Lords” Cricket Ground located in Rosedale, Queens, NY.
After winning the toss, MMZ decided to bowl first. This proved to be a shrewd choice as ACC lost three wickets during the powerplay – ACC captain Randall Wilson, 9, c. Andy Mohammed b. Navin Dewlall, leaving them with 29 on the board. Wilson was followed by Marvan Prashad, 1, c. Abdullah Syed, b. Keith Edie. Nonetheless, a previously struggling Dino Chooweenam launched an assault on the MMZ bowlers from the opposite end. In the initial four overs, Atlantis had lost two wickets but managed to score 34 runs. Freddy Pestano, 9, became the next casualty as ACC could only add another 21 runs, falling to c. Mohammed Syed, off Looknauth Chinkoo’s bowling.
However, ACC’s vice captain Kellon Carmichael joined Chooweenam, and the pair teamed up effectively against the MMZ bowlers until Chooweenam departed, having made 67 (5x6s, 6x4s) off 47 balls, c. Mohammed Syed, b. Andy Mohammed. Carmichael also made a notable contribution with 38 (4x6s, 2×4) in a dynamic appearance. Carmichael’s innings, along with contributions from other double-digit scorers Teslston Johnson, who made 11, and Extras, totaling 22, propelled ACC to 164 all out in 20.5 overs.
Chasing a target of 165 for a place further along the playoff bracket, MMZ started disastrously. They lost their first wicket, the explosive Abdullah Syed, 0, in the second over. He was the first of four run-outs for the MMZ side. By the 2nd over, MMZ had managed just 1 for 1 and then fell to 2 for eleven in the third over, marking an inauspicious beginning. The situation did not improve as MMZ continued to lose wickets frequently, with the team score stagnating at 93 for 9 in the eighteenth over, with Melvin Shewprasad retiring hurt. The top scorers for MMZ were Mohamed Shaw, 36; captain Andy Mohammed, 17; Ritchie Looknauth, 10; and Extras, 10.
The wickets for MMZ fell at 1, 11, 31, 31, 38, 48, 50, 74, and 93. For Atlantis, Dillon Bourne achieved figures of 5-0-21-3, while Kellon Carmichael and Telston Johnson each took one wicket for 26 and 27, respectively.
Dino Chooweenam was named Player of the Match for his outstanding 67 runs off 47 balls.
With this win, ACC moved on to face Queens United Sports Club at Idlewild Cricket Ground today in a semi-final showdown of the NYNCL’s Premier 40-overs 2024 tournament.
Image Source: Cricket Niagara ICC @ YouTube
